Arrogant S.O.B.
Have you ever considered how your behaviors may communicate to others that you are an Arrogant Spaced-Out Boss ("Arrogant S.O.B.")? Part of the dictionary definition of "arrogant" is arrogant people assume they know something, and/or they are smarter than someone else.
Assumptions are one of the most common failures of leaders. You can try to hide behind all kinds of humble phrases and body language, but in the end your actions speak much louder than your words.
Are you really humble like Jim Collins' Level 5 Leaders, or just a poser?
My system of 3strands LEADERSHIP does NOT include being an Arrogant Spaced-Out Boss. So just between you and me, are there situations where maybe you are thinking a bit too highly of yourself? Here is a quick 5 question quiz to consider whether you might be an Arrogant Spaced-Out Boss, and if so, what you can do about it:
#1 - Realistically, how often do you assume something and later find out your conclusion was at least partially incorrect?
Daily Weekly Monthly Never, I'm perfect
#2 - Do you believe leadership and the strength of your company culture determine the magnitude of growth and profit for your organization?
Yes No
#3 - How many hours do you typically invest each week to develop your leadership skills? (You can use last week as an example...)
<1 hour 1-2 hours 3-5 hours >5 hours
#4 - How many hours do you typically invest the week to develop a stronger culture within your company? (You can use last week as an example...)
<1 hour 1-2 hours 3-5 hours >5 hours
#5 - When is the last time you paid to gain someone's knowledge through coaching, a learning event, book, or other method... and then decided you know more than they do and cut short the learning experience?
Yesterday Last week Last month Rarely
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Your life journey may be different than mine, but let me walk you through what I suggest are the typical answers a truly great leaders:
#1 - Realistically, how often do you assume something and later find out your conclusion was at least partially incorrect?
Daily Weekly Monthly Never, I'm perfect
3strands LEADER: Even the best leaders make mistakes. Making decisions and taking actions based on assumptions happens to all leaders. The best are probably pretty good at limiting how often they make this mistake, and are honest enough to admit it is an ongoing struggle.
#2 - Do you believe leadership and the strength of your company culture determine the magnitude of growth and profit for your organization?
Yes No
3strands LEADER: Leadership determines who you hire, how they are managed, whether they are developed professionally, and the percentage of top performers your organization retains. Your culture determines employee engagement, productivity, and customer retention. This question's answer is an easy "yes."
#3 - How many hours do you typically invest the week to develop your leadership skills? (You can use last week as an example...)
<1 hour 1-2 hours 3-5 hours >5 hours
3strands LEADER: The best leaders invest in developing themselves weekly. This is an ongoing process. It never ends. The excuses of being too busy, no budget, or whatever are bogus.
The excuses are all lies. If you truly want to be a great leader then you first have to invest in yourself.
Do you remember the government-required airplane safety announcement you have to endure before your commercial airline takes off? The reason you have to put the oxygen mask on yourself first is so you can help save others. You stop functioning if you cannot breathe. In a similar way, if you are not growing as a leader then your ability to develop your employees and company is constrained, if not eventually dead.
1-2 Hours of work weekly to expand your knowledge, be coached or mentored, and/or do a variety of other activities to grow as a leader is a minimum requirement... and a huge blessing, not a burden or a curse.
You do not do this, you say?
Is your issue ego, or an inability to prioritize what is truly important?
Figure it out. Take action. Move on.
#4 - How many hours do you typically invest the week to develop a stronger culture within your company? (You can use last week as an example...)
<1 hour 1-2 hours 3-5 hours >5 hours
3strands LEADER: There is a minimum requirement of 1-2 hours weekly to develop a stronger company culture. This time is in addition to the time you spend developing yourself as a leader.
What I am saying is you have to spend a minimum of 5-10 percent of your week (2-4 hours) developing yourself and your company culture.
Are you doing this every week? If you are honest, most of you will answer "no." Then get a mentor or coach immediately. Or work with some peers for accountability. Do something. Every moment you delay is costing you thousands of dollars.
BUY WHAT IF YOU CAN'T?
Let someone else lead your company or team.
#5 - When is the last time you paid to gain someone's knowledge through coaching, a learning event, book, or other method... and then decided you know more than they do?
Yesterday Last week Last month Rarely
3strands LEADER: Wise leaders choose their learning opportunities carefully. Once chosen, they find something to learn from that individual even if it is a small percentage of the overall teaching. In rare cases they may need to cut the teaching short because they made a mistake and it is a waste of their time.
BEWARE: Once you committed to learn from someone, make certain you fully explored the service you purchased before canceling.
It is common for busy leaders to make assumptions and stop investing time in learning opportunities that actually could help them better achieve their career and organizational objectives.
Why? Because they are busy. Their work is important. They are good leaders anyway... Fools.
I encourage you not to be an Arrogant Spaced-Out Boss. You can do better. To be better you have to intentionally set aside time weekly to develop yourself as a leader, and your company's culture.
Do you want help?
MANAGEtoWIN has the only Certified LEADER training program for managed service providers and other technology entrepreneurs.
If not our program, then another proven training program that is at least six months long. Why six months?
Because the real value is not knowledge transfer, but developing the skills, learning new habits, and implementing proven leadership systems.
In essence the value is becoming a better leader, not understanding how to become one.
Our next Certified LEADER class starts the week of July 11. Sign-up to work on specific weaknesses you have in your leadership, and to further build upon your strengths.
